Traditional healing and culturally appropriate care
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In October, CMS approved waivers to cover traditional health care practices in clinics, homes, and sacred sites in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon. Facilities are able to choose which traditional healing services to offer based on the communities served. The goal of the waivers is to improve health outcomes for tribal citizens by increasing access to culturally appropriate care.
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Notably, traditional healing services can be used for long-term care in Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon. (In California, covered services are limited to substance use treatment for now.)
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As reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service Director Roselyn Tso has said, “These practices have sustained our people’s health for generations and continue to serve as a vital link between culture, science, and wellness in many of our communities.”
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Join CMS for a virtual National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month event, Traditional Healer: Caring for the People, November 19 from 2–3 p.m. Eastern. John Tsosie, traditional healer for Navajo Nation, will present on the role of culture and traditional medicine in healing.
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Financing HCBS and
facility-based care
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Recently approved 1115 waivers open up new opportunities for Indian Health Service facilities, tribal facilities, and urban Indian organizations to provide traditional healing services for long-term care.
For more information about financing long-term care, visit the CMS LTSS Technical Assistance Center’s Financial Planning Steps page, which reviews cost considerations for home- and community-based services (HCBS) and facility-based care.
The page also covers funding sources for LTSS programs. Additionally, it offers tips for tribes working with states to support LTSS program costs, including through 100% federal medical assistance percentage.
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